Mancini wants Flamini on loan

London, Jan 20 (ANI): After signing former Arsenal player Patrick Vieira, Manchester City is trying to set up a loan deal for Mathieu Flamini.

French international Flamini is looking to revive his career having fallen out of favour at AC Milan.

The midfielder was offered to the Gunners, but boss Arsene Wenger snubbed the deal.

Yet City chief Roberto Mancini believes the tough-tackling Flamini, 25, can do an important job for him at Eastlands, The Sun reports.

Mancini's move for Flamini raises questions about Vieira's role at City, where he has been handed a 130,000 pound-a-week contract for the rest of the season after signing on a free transfer from Inter Milan.

Vieira, 33, has been struggling with injury, but Mancini feels he will be a huge influence in the dressing room.

Flamini succeeded Vieira at the heart of the Arsenal midfield before signing for AC Milan as a free agent in 2008 on a 90,000 pound-a-week deal.

He is unhappy though at being played out of position at full-back.

Mancini wants Flamini on loan for the rest of the season with the option of a permanent deal.

City are also chasing Watford starlet Rob Kiernan. The Irish defender, 19, is out of contract at the end of the season and is attracting interest from Arsenal and Spurs. (ANI)